Sonata II

Note from the arranger

The primer “L’art de jouer de la harpe” was published in 1784 by Jean-Baptiste Cardon (1760-1803), esteemed French harpist and composer. Cardon was also well-known as a pedagogue, and his primer contains two intermediate solo sonatas of astonishing educational value.

The single movement Sonata II features a left-hand driven rhythm and experiments with right hand ornamentation both before and on the beat (the ornamentation is clearly written out). An agile right hand is required in order to execute the ornaments quickly and evenly. The right hand also features repeated sixths, demanding muscle memory and complete closure, along with delicate oscillating octave passages. The left hand requires strength for the driving rhythmic octaves, with Alberti bass and flat-handed octave passages to emphasize relaxation and suppleness. Like the first sonata, pedaling demands are modest, but timing of the pedals is crucial.

Harpists playing from a printed version will want to add blank pages between 6-7 to facilitate page turns.